A month into junior defensive specialist Klaree Hobart’s first season as a Vandal, she earned a career-high 22 digs against Tennessee Tech. Then disaster struck.
Hobart was stuck on the sidelines for four games with a hamstring injury.
Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said losing Hobart was difficult.
“It’s hard enough as it is because she really hasn’t been injured up to that point,” Buchanan said. “We needed her. It took her awhile to get back in … but once she came back, she continued to gain and expanded from playing left back to middle.”
Hobart said the season was challenging.
“There’s been a lot of ups and downs, there have been days better than others as far as wanting to be in the gym,” Hobart said. “The last couple of weeks kind of hit me and I wanted to work hard and keep loving what I’m doing.”
Buchanan said Hobart is a consistent player.
“She gets along with everyone in that capacity,” she said “When she gets the ball midline and gets the ball in a good spot, she does a great job controlling that ball. She’s strong and doesn’t make a ton of errors and that’s what we need in our system.”
Buchanan said she first noticed Hobart during high school.
During her time at Lewiston High School, Hobart played softball and basketball.
Hobart and Idaho women’s basketball senior point guard Karlee Wilson won the 2012 Idaho 5A State Girls Basketball Championship. The Bengals defeated Centennial 37-24 Feb. 18 in the Idaho Center in Nampa.
Hobart said she considered basketball her sport growing up until she committed to playing volleyball.
Outside of the court, Hobart said she spends her off-time alone.
“My favorite thing when I have nothing to do and no responsibilities is I like to leave cell phone reception and be in the woods,” Hobart said. “There’s nothing like getting away from everyone and getting into the outdoors.”
Hobart spends her weekends at the family cabin.
“We’re playing cards, playing pool and not doing anything in the gym is nice and refreshing,” she said.
Hobart said she and her father spend their time watching football and basketball but the competitive nature is non-existent.
“My dad always says that he would give any success up for me to have it,” Hobart said. “Brother and sisters, we get competitive but my dad just wants the world with us.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLFiles